Vocab Flashcards
What is an Abaton?
A sacred area where pilgrims slept to receive divine dreams for healing in the temple of Asclepios.
Define Acropolis.
A fortified hill in ancient Greek cities, serving as the location for temples and important public buildings.
What is an Adyton?
An innermost sanctuary or restricted area within a temple, often housing the cult statue.
What does Agalma refer to?
A sacred object, such as a statue or votive offering, used in worship as dedications or gifts to the gods.
What is the purpose of an Altar in a sanctuary?
The central ritual space for sacrifices, often located in front of the temple.
What constitutes the Altis?
The sacred grove and central area of the sanctuary at Olympia.
What does Amazonomachy symbolize?
A mythological battle between Greeks and Amazons, representing opposition to foreign or unconventional social norms.
Define Amphictyony.
A league of Greek tribes responsible for managing and protecting the sanctuary at Delphi.
What is Anakalupsis?
The act of the bride unveiling her face during the wedding ceremony.
What is an Anaktoron?
At Eleusis, a secret chamber within the Telesterion where sacred objects (Hiera) were kept.
What is the function of an Apodyterion?
A changing room or preparation area for athletes, connected to the stadium.
What is an Apotropaic Motif?
Imagery designed to ward off evil, such as lions killing a bull.
True or False: Apotropaic Rituals are designed to attract good luck.
False.
What period is referred to as the Archaic Age?
The period in Greek history (circa 800–480 BCE) marked by the development of city-states and monumental architecture.
Who is Asclepius?
God of medicine and healing in Greek mythology.
What is an Ash Altar?
An altar formed by accumulated ashes from repeated sacrifices.
Who is honored in the Athena Nike temple?
Athena the Victorious.
What does Athena Polias represent?
Athena as the protector of the city.
What was the purpose of the Balbis?
A starting mechanism in ancient stadiums, ensuring fair starts in races.
What is a hestiatorion?
A building within a Greek sanctuary specifically dedicated to consuming ritual meals following sacrificial practices.
How did Greeks define Barbarians?
Non-Greek peoples, often depicted as chaotic or uncivilized.
What is a Barbablù?
A mythical creature depicted in Archaic temple decoration.
Define Bomos.
An altar constructed above ground, often associated with Olympian deities.
What is a Bòthros?
A deep pit used for offerings, often addressing deities connected to the dead.
What is the Callichoron Well known for?
The well where Demeter is said to have mourned for Kore.
What is a Caryatid?
A sculpted female figure serving as an architectural support in place of a column.
What are Castalian and Cassotis Springs?
Sacred water source used for purification and preparation rituals at Delphi. Cassotis was also the naiad who lived in the spring named after her.
What does Centauromachy symbolize?
A mythological battle between centaurs and Lapiths, symbolizing the clash between civilization and barbarism.
What is a Choregic Monument?
Structures built to celebrate victors of dramatic contests, often displaying tripods as prizes.
What is a Chryselephantine Statue?
A monumental statue made of gold and ivory, representing gods or heroes.
What are Chthonic Deities?
Gods associated with the underworld, earth, and the dead.
What is a Cistern/Fountain House?
Structures for water storage or ritual purification within sanctuaries.
Kernos - A ring-shaped vessel supporting cups or figurines, used in religious rituals.
What is a Communal Meal?
A shared meal following a sacrifice, fostering societal bonds.
What are Communal Offerings?
Gifts from an entire community, often representing shared identity and resources.
What are Complementary Rooms in hestiatoria?
Auxiliary spaces, such as kitchens and storage rooms.
What are Corinthian Capitals?
Ornate column capitals characterized by acanthus leaves.
What are Cremata?
Sacred funds or valuables stored in a sanctuary.
What are Cyclopean Walls?
Massive stone fortifications built during the Mycenaean period.
What does Daedalic Style refer to?
A type of early Greek sculpture characterized by stylized geometric forms.
What are Dedications in a religious context?
Objects or structures offered to deities.
What is Dekate?
A tenth of one’s earnings offered as a dedication to the gods.
Who is Demeter?
Goddess of fertility, agriculture, and the earth.
Who is Dionysus?
God of wine, theater, and festivity.
What does Dipteral mean?
Having a double peristyle.
What characterizes the Doric Order?
Simple, sturdy columns with a plain capital.
What is a Double temple in antis?
Similar to Temple in antis, but also has a back porch.
What is a Dynast?
A ruler or member of a ruling family.
What are Ephebes?
Young Athenian men undergoing military and civic training.
What are Eponymous Heroes?
Legendary founders or patrons of Greek cities.
What is the Erechtheion?
A complex Ionic temple dedicated to Athena and other gods.
Who were the Ergastinai?
Athenian women who wove the peplos offered to Athena.
What is an Eschara?
A shallow pit or altar for sacrifices.
What is an Exedra?
A semicircular or L-shaped structure with seating.
What is a Frieze?
A horizontal band of sculptural decoration.
What does Giantomachy represent?
A mythological battle between gods and giants.
What is a Hecatomb?
A sacrifice of 100 cattle to the Greek gods.
What is a Hekatompedon?
A temple or a 100-foot-long cella.
What does Hellenic refer to?
The period and culture of classical Greece.
What are Heraia?
Footraces for maidens held in honor of Hera.
What is a Heraion?
A sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Hera.
What is a Hero Cult?
Worship dedicated to a hero, often a legendary figure.
What is a Heroa?
A shrine dedicated to an ancient Greek or Roman hero.
What are Hestiatoria?
Separate facilities for dining in sanctuaries.
What is an Hestiatorion?
A building within Greek sanctuaries dedicated to communal dining.
What does Hexastyle peripteral mean?
Six columns across the façade; two rows of 10 columns on the flanks.
What is a Hexastyle Pseudoperipteral?
Six columns across the façade; twenty engaged columns line the flanks.
What is the Hierá Hodós?
The processional path leading to the altar or temple. The Sacred Way.
What does Hieros Gamos symbolize?
Sacred marriage, often between Hera and Zeus.
What does Ilioupersis refer to?
The sack of Troy.
What are Initiation Rites?
Ceremonies inducting individuals into sacred knowledge.
What characterizes the Ionic Order?
Slender columns with scrolled capitals.
What are the Isthmian Games?
A Panhellenic festival held in honor of Poseidon.
What is the Kallias Decree?
A decree related to the management of sacred treasures in Athens.
What is the Callirhoe Spring known for?
Providing water for rituals, particularly prenuptial baths.
What does Katagogia refer to?
The arrival of the god Dionysus from the sea.
What are Klinai?
Reclining couches used for ritual banquets.
What does Kora refer to?
The surrounding rural region of a polis.
What are Korai?
Archaic female statues, dressed in elaborate drapery.
Who is Kore?
Daughter of Demeter, later known as Persephone.
What are Kouroi?
Archaic male statues depicted in a standing posture.
What is the significance of Kouros/Kore?
Archaic Greek statues used as votive offerings or grave markers.
What is the Legos Tree associated with?
Hera, used symbolically in rituals.
Define Libation.
A ritual pouring of liquids like wine over the altar.
What are Logomena?
Sacred words or formulas recited during rituals.
What is a Loutrophoros?
A vessel used in wedding and funerary rituals.
What is a Makar?
The sacrificial knife, often hidden in a basket of barley grains.
What is a Megaron?
A rectangular hall with a central hearth, characteristic of Mycenaean architecture.
Who is Melicertes/Palaimon?
Mythological hero associated with the Isthmian Games.
What are Metopes?
Decorative panels on Doric temples depicting mythological scenes.
What is Miasma?
Ritual pollution caused by taboo actions or events.
What are Miniaturistic Shields?
Small decorative shields associated with the cult of Zeus.
What is a Monopteros?
A circular, open-sided structure supported by columns.
What does Moschophoros mean?
The ‘Calf-Bearer,’ a statue symbolizing religious devotion.
What are Mysi?
Secretive religious rituals at Eleusis; the Mysteries.
What is a Naiskos?
A small shrine or niche used to depict sacred scenes.
What are the Nemean Games?
A Panhellenic festival held every two years, dedicated to Zeus.
What is the Naos?
The main temple building housing the cult statue.
What does this represent?
Nike by Paionios, A marble statue symbolizing victory.
What is a Nymphaeum?
A monumental fountain adorned with statues.
What does Nympheutria refer to?
A bridesmaid or female supervisor preparing the bride.
What are Oikamata?
Internal rooms or storage areas within the Hekatompedon.
What is an Oikistes?
The founder of a colony, often elevated to hero status.
What are Oikoi?
Mysterious structures in the sanctuary with debated interpretations.
What does Oktastyle dipteral mean?
8 columns across the facade; two rows of 10 columns on the flanks.
What is Oktastyle Pseudodipteral?
8 columns across the facade; twenty engaged columns line the flanks.
What are the Olympian Games?
Athletic competitions held every four years, tied to the worship of Zeus.
What is the Olympic Truce?
A period of peace enacted during the games.
What is an Omphalos?
A stone symbolizing the center of the world.
Who is Opheltes?
Mythological infant hero whose death inspired the Nemean Games.
What is an Opisthodomos?
The rear room of a temple, often used for treasuries.
What are Oracles?
Sacred sites where individuals could consult divine messages.
What characterizes the Orientalizing Period?
A phase of Greek art marked by Near Eastern influences.
What is the Panathenaic Festival?
A major Athenian festival celebrating Athena.
What is the Panathenaic Procession?
A religious festival in Athens celebrated with sacrifices and offerings.
What is a Pan-Hellenic Sanctuary?
A sacred space attracting participants from across the Greek world.
What is the Parthenon?
A Doric temple on the Acropolis dedicated to Athena Parthenos.
What is a Pediment?
The triangular upper part of a temple’s facade.
What is the Pelopion?
The heroon of Pelops at Olympia.
What is a Peribolos?
A boundary wall enclosing the sanctuary’s sacred area.
What does Periclean Acropolis refer to?
The restoration and architectural enhancement of the Athenian Acropolis.
What is a Peripteral Temple?
A temple surrounded by a single row of columns.
What is a Perirrhanterion?
A marble ritual basin used for purification.
What does Peristasis mean?
a four-sided porch or hallway of columns surrounding the cella
What are Phialai?
Ritual bowls often made of precious metals.
Who is Phidias?
Renowned sculptor and artistic director of the Parthenon’s decorative program.
What is the Philippeion?
A circular structure dedicated by Philip II, commemorating his family.
Who were the Pisistratids?
The tyrants who ruled Athens during the Archaic Age.
What are Plemochoai?
Ritual vessels used for libations during the Mysteries.
What is a Ploutonion?
A sacred space marking the spot where Hades abducted Kore.
What does Pneuma refer to?
Sacred vapors believed to inspire the Pythia.
What is a Polis?
A city-state in ancient Greece.
What is Polychromy?
The use of multiple colors in sculpture.
What is a Pompe?
A procession in ancient Greece that moved people and artifacts to sacred sites.
What are Poros and Parian Marble?
Types of stone used in temple construction.
What is a Pronaos?
The entrance porch of a temple.
What is a Propylon?
A monumental entrance.
What are sacred vapors believed to inspire the Pythia?
Pneuma
Pneuma was thought to be a divine breath that provided inspiration for the oracle at Delphi.
What is a city-state in ancient Greece known as?
Polis
The polis was central to the social and political structure of ancient Greek civilization.
What term describes the use of multiple colors in sculpture, typical of Archaic Greek art?
Polychromy
Polychromy was a significant characteristic of Greek sculpture, which often featured vibrant colors.
What is a procession in ancient Greece that moved people, animals, and artifacts to and from sacred sites called?
Pompe
Pompes were important rituals that facilitated the connection between the community and the divine.
What are the two types of stone used in temple construction, with Parian marble being highly valued?
Poros and Parian Marble
Parian marble is known for its high quality and was often used in prestigious buildings.
What is the entrance porch of a temple, often framed by columns, called?
Pronaos
The pronaos served as a transitional space before entering the main temple.
What is a monumental entrance or gateway leading into a sanctuary called?
Propylon
The propylon symbolizes the boundary between sacred and profane spaces.
What is the Protogeometric Period?
The early phase of Greek art and architecture, roughly 1100–900 BCE.
Define Protome.
A decorative attachment, often in the shape of animal heads, used on cauldrons or tripods.
What is a Prytanieon?
The building where the officials and winners of the Olympic Games met at Olympia.
What is a Pseudodipteral temple?
A Greek temple with a single peristyle surrounding the cella at the distance of two intercolumns, spaced far enough from the walls to suggest a second row.
Who is Pythia?
The priestess of Apollo who delivered oracles at Delphi while seated on a tripod over a sacred cleft.
What are the Pythian Games?
A festival at Delphi combining athletic and artistic competitions, held in honor of Apollo.
What is a Rite of Passage?
Ceremonies marking a transition from one social or life status to another.
Define Sacred Way.
A ceremonial road for religious processions during official celebrations, connecting the sanctuary to the city, sea, or countryside.
What is Thusia?
A ritual sacrifice involving the killing of an animal to honor the gods, central to Greek religion.
What is a Sanctuary?
A sacred space dedicated to a deity, often encompassing temples and associated structures.
Who was Skopas?
A renowned sculptor and architect known for introducing architectural innovations.
What is a sphageion?
A vessel used to collect blood from large animals during sacrifices.
What is a Stadium?
A venue for athletic competitions, often part of a sanctuary complex.
Define Stoa.
A covered walkway or portico, often used for gatherings, storage, or protection from the elements.
What is the Telemachus Monument?
A votive stele commemorating the founding of the Athenian Asklepieion.
What is a Telesterion?
The central hall of the Eleusinian sanctuary where the mysteries were performed.
Define Temenos.
A sacred space ‘cut off’ (from the Greek tenein) and dedicated to divine worship.
What is a Temple à banquettes ?
Temples serving as dining halls with benches for seating These structures are also known as hestiatoria.
What is a Temple in antis?
An architectural design for temples where the design has a porch formed by extensions, or antae, of the side walls at each side.
What is a Temple?
A sacred building constructed to house the cult statue of a deity and represent the community.
What does Tetrastyle amphiprostyle mean?
With four columns standing in front and back of the cella.
What is Tetrastyle prostyle?
With four columns standing in front of the cella.
Define Thesauros.
A treasury building within sanctuaries, dedicated by communities to store offerings and display wealth.
What is Thesmophoria?
A women-only festival honoring Demeter, connected to agricultural fertility.
What is a Tholos?
A round structure with a circular wall and a roof, usually built upon a couple of steps, and often with a ring of columns supporting a conical or domed roof.
What does Thusia mean?
‘Sacrifice’ or ‘offering’.
What is Toneia?
Ritual tied to the mythological act of binding Hera’s statue with lygos branches.
What is the Treasury of Aphrodite Ourania?
A marble box used to collect prenuptial offerings to ensure a happy marriage.
What is a Treasury?
A small building used to store offerings, valuables, and dedications within a sanctuary.
What is a Tripod?
A three-legged offering, often in bronze, symbolizing devotion or victory.
Define diaphanous drapery.
A sculptural technique where garments appear transparent, revealing the body beneath.
What is a Xenon?
An ancient hotel-like structure used to accommodate athletes, trainers, and worshippers.
What is a Xoanon?
A wooden cult statue considered sacred.
What is Keles?
A horseback race over a distance of 4,200 m., or 2½ miles.
What is Synoris?
A two-horse chariot race over a distance of 5,600 m., or 3½ miles.
What is Tethrippon?
A four-horse chariot race over a distance of 8,400 m., or 5¼ miles.
What is pankration?
A no-holds-barred mix of wrestling and boxing (no gauging or biting though).
What is Pale?
Wrestling from an upright position, the object being to throw one’s opponent to the ground within an area marked off by a layer of sand or dust.
What is Pyx?
Boxing.
What is Stadion?
A race from one end of the track in the stadium to the other, a distance of nearly 178 m.
What is Diaulos?
A double stadion race.
What is Hippios?
A double diaulos race four lengths of the track, or about 710 m.
What is Dolichos?
A long-distance race whose total length the sources give variously as 7, 10, 20, or 24 lengths of the stadium track.
What is Hoplitodromos?
A race the length of a diaulos, but with the competitors carrying bronze shields and wearing helmets.
